Bleader

Sayonara, Shochu

Tuesday night, Shochu--the izakaya-style restaurant memorably reviewed by Irma Nuñez and open just since this summer--morphed into Deleece Grill Pub under the same owners, Lynne Wallack and John Handler of Deleece. Chef-partner Josh Hansen has come up with a comfort-food-heavy menu focusing on steaks and hearty sides like potatoes au gratin, bacon potato salad, bacon-rosemary stuffing, and hand-cut fries. An Asian touch remains in dishes like miso-lychee coleslaw, but Wallack is touting the Americanness of the offerings--including beer, wine, and artisanal cheeses. In a nod to the dismal economy, a three-course meal is $20 on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Looks like shochu, the distilled spirit the restaurant served up in fancy cocktails, never caught on with the Wrigleyville crowd. Maybe they should have tried happoshu.